Manufacturing employers are now looking for top talent with high-end IT skills, from programming, data science, software development, and artificial intelligence. Today, most manufacturing industries have embraced machinery that can gather and communicate information to gain a competitive advantage. This makes the shortage of digital skillets a significant challenge in factories designed for manual work or lower-level digitization.
Since the dawn of modern technology, the manufacturing industry has met remarkable advancements in terms of machinery, materials, and tools. Some examples are portable axle scales that can make weight vehicles and their axles more manageable and inventory management platforms that aid the handling of items in the inventory. While these innovations have played a considerable role in accelerating manufacturing operations, they also raise challenges in recruiting workers with IT skills.
So far, a large number of manufacturing firms are struggling to navigate the job market for data skills. This is because the majority of job seekers are largely experienced in the traditional manufacturing industry. For this reason, manufacturers have discovered the need to develop the applied skillsets for modern manufacturing facilities. To address the skillset overlap in the context of manufacturing, here are ways to upskill your workforce for future business growth.
Focus on soft skills
The rise of technology in the modern workplace has met an unexpected impact: the high demand for skills and expertise only humans can offer. By cutting out manual and repetitive chores unique to traditional roles, employers allow technology to make room for soft skills and other skillsets unique to humans.
According to a study, today’s most in-demand job skills focus on fundamental human characteristics, such as critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and creativity. To prepare for future growth opportunities, manufacturers have to start hiring and upskilling their workers who possess these attributes and the required technical skills to thrive in a world of growing automation.
Make online communication a part of upskilling efforts
While robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence continuously expand, more manufacturing firms resort to other digital innovations to manage their current tasks more efficiently.
Collaboration software tools such as instant messaging applications, social media, and management system platforms have made jobs and other manual work more digital. Not only that, but these platforms have raised the need for digital skills for them to work. They also affect the level of productivity by facilitating interaction and communication in manufacturing plants.
Adapting to the digital shift opens many opportunities to explore new knowledge and skills outside the country. This allows manufacturing employers to hire workers who possess the skills they’re looking for. Despite the time difference, this encouraged companies to embrace flexible working practices and other transformational strategies.
Build trust among workers
Manufacturing businesses are now more willing to invest billions of dollars in upskilling. The only problem is how they can convince employees to let go of tried-and-tested processes in place of new digital solutions.
Embracing technology can be daunting for workers who have little knowledge of anything digital. For them, manual work is still more superior to technology in terms of budget. For this reason, you have to expect that not everyone will approve of these changes.
Employers can invest in digital solutions, but humans will remain as a core asset. In this case, getting workers on board won’t be easy. You need to involve them and demonstrate the potential benefits. For example, digitization and automation speed up operations, allowing workers to handle more capacity. In turn, having more capacity provides growth and resources, which work based on everyone’s interests.
Communicate to your workers by emphasizing the need to turn away from manual and repetitive work. Explain to them that adopting technology doesn’t mean allowing a robot to steal their job, but it’s about giving them a much better role.
Treat workers as digital catalysts
Learning how technology can inspire change in manufacturing operations can help workers prepare for the future where jobs are more rewarding, sophisticated, and growth-oriented. New employees, especially the young ones, can act as digital catalysts to support the existing workers to provide a fresher perspective on old processes.
One of the most basic ways to determine areas for improvement and digitization is to allow tech-savvy employees to learn about the process. Let’s face it; the younger generation is more at ease with technology than the older generation. Use this to your advantage to better navigate a tech-driven world.
More businesses today are realizing the importance of upskilling their workers for manufacturing growth and professional development. Investing in training programs and upskilling efforts can make a big difference in helping companies keep up with the pace of digital advancements. Not only will this open business opportunities, but this can only provide a stronger competitive advancement in an increasingly IT-driven world.